Center extension table with detachable hinged supports



M y 1951 w M COSTANZO 2,554,014

CENTER. EXTENSION TABLE WITH DETACHABLE HINGED SUPPORTS Filed April 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. \MLLIAM M. Cos'r'ANzo CENTER EXTENSION TABLE WITH DETACHABLE HINGED SUPPORTS Filed April 17, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 22, 1951 w M cosTANzo 2,554,014

26' INVENTOR.

,9 v Q MIL-LIAM M. cos'mwzo Patented May 22, 1951 UNITED STATES @PATENT OFFICE 12,554,014 V n i J v I 1 CENTER EXTENSION TABLE WIIVTHQ DETACH- ABLE HINGED SUPPORTS. William M; Costanzo, Weehawken, N. J. Application A ril 17, 1948, Serial No. 21,588

'5"C laims.' (Cl. 311 14 This invention relates to combination articles of furniture, particularly of the kind ordinarily used in a dining room.

According to theinvention, there is provided a combination comprisinga pair of end-table units, a pair of folding-arm-type extension devices, and a plurality of table leaves, with the latter employable in larger or smaller numbers according to the desired seating capacity of the new article of furniturewhen the same is used as a single table for seating a desired group of persons, as for dining or any other purpose. 7

Also according to the invention, certain arm elements of said devices are so inter-connected, and certain of them are so pernfanently connected to said units, and certain of them are soconnected to be readily disconnectable from said units, that, at will, and quickly and conveniently, the. combination may be arranged to provide a tableof the proper size to seat say 14 persons, or, a table of the proper size to seat say six persons, or a table, as a substantially round one, of a proper size to seat say four persons, or two end-tables each usable as an ordinary end-table is used.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth. 7

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention as now favored, arranged to carry five table-top leaves, and with three of such leaves in place as indicated in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of said embodiment, arranged to carry two of the leaves, with these leaves in place as indicated in dot and dash lines.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing saidembodiment arranged to have the table top consist solely 9f the tops of the two end-table units. 7 a 1 V Fig. 4 is an elevational view, partially broken away, looking in the direction of the arrows 4 of Figs. 1 and 5. 4 a

.Fig. 5 also an elevational view of the unit last-mentioned, this view being a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. a

Fig, 6 is an elevational view of the end-table. unit at the left in Fig, 1, this view being a section taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

tially on the line 1 1 of ,5, but with omitted any showing ofthethree table legs -a nt l the-facia shown'inFigs i and 5. t

Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section, taken substantially on the line 8 -8 of Fig. 7, showing one of the two like spring-pins employed in connection with'the two end-table units.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view, as in Fig.3, but showing, in broken lines, the. locationsof two flied pivot pins (these also indicatedin broken lines" in Figs. 5 and 6) relative to the locations crime two spring-pins, and also showing, in'brokeri lines, the cross-beam andrestblockcouplesby' the aid of which said springepins and their asst oiated elements are mounted in' place."

Fig. 10 is a somewhat enlarged fragmentary view, showing in top plan meeting end portio s,

extension devices. I Fig. -11 shows the bottom plan. v a I n Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10, butfs owing meeting end portions of tw'o'arms of the'otli'erbfi said extension devicesf" Y r Fig. 13 shows thesame'partsas in-Fig.'12,ibi1t in bottom plan. I T" 1.

Fig; 14 illustrates, in perspective, "andlin co nection with parts corresponding to those seen. in Figs. 12 and 13, a modified constru tion." 1 111 Referring to the drawings" more in detail, embodiment shown includes two enmtabm 20 and 3|, havingfvariously adjustable re thereto a pair of folding-arm-typeextension vices one of which is markedllas, a'whole' Fig. 1 and the other of which'is marked-"as whole 23 in'F ig.1.

.The extensiondevice 22 comprises anarfn'. 12,4 permanently pivoted at one end to, the 'uniti'llfl as by a suitable installdvertical pivot pin" 25 (see. Fig.9; and also. Figs. 2, 3 and 6') an intermediate arm 26 permanently hinged as at 'Z'I'to. the other end of the arm.'24; and a shorter arm' 28 connected to thearmZ'Gby a hinge Zl' having a pintle headedat'itsftop and so readily up wardly removable for convenient hinge breakof two arms of one of the two folding arrn ti p same parts" asianieg 1b";

stantaneously releasably pivotally connected to the end-table unitjl by .aspring- -pin 29 as indie, cated in Fig. 9, whic h pin is constructed, mounted and operatable as will later be described in con} nection with Figs.- 7 andB f The arm 24 is vertically. aperturedataml, which aperture registers withan aperture 3| through a. ta plate secure esl ie dli F 13 the bottom of said'arm. The a'ifm falsdcarif;

to the arm 36 by a hinge 39 having a pintle headed at its top and so upwardly readily removable for convenient hinge breakdown when desired. Said arm 38 is instantaneously releasably pivotally connected to the unit by .a.

spring-pin like the spring-pin 29 aforesaid and the location of which is indicated in Fig. 9 where the same is marked 29'.

The arm 34 is vertically apertured at 46, which aperture registers with an aperture 4| through a metal plate 42 secured as indicated in Fig. 11 to iii the bottom of said arm. aSaid arm 34 also carries a hook 45, forcoactionwith an eye id carried by the arm 38 andthento-hcild the arms 34 and 36 extended asin Fig.1.

The'arms 36 and '38, opposite the location of the hinge,39,-respectively carry hook and eye elements 43 and 44, for'coaction in holding these arms extended as in Fig. 1 and the arms 26 and 28 (of the other device 22) respectivel carry, opposite the location of the hinge 21 similar hook and eye elements 'for coaction in holding these arms extended as in Fig. 1, in which .view the hook and eye elements last-mentioned are hidden behind said arms 26 and 28.

All six arms of the two devices 22 and 23 are of like cross-section, one which is substantially square.

Referring now'to Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 7, the unit 2| is shown as comprising a top 41, askirt 48, three legs '49, and 5|, and a cross-beam 52; such cross-beam having, its upper limit spaced below the undersurface of thetop '41 a, distance about equal to the vertical thickness of the arm 28.

Suitably rigidly secured to the rear side of the cross-beam 52 is rest-block 53, which, together with the cross-beam, provides amounting for thespring-pin 29 andits associated parts.

Referringto Figs. 7 and 8, andparticularly to the latter view, recessiis provided comprising a larger verticalbore 54 'and'below the same and concentric'therewith a smaller bore 55. These bores, transversely thereof, are provided one-half of each in each block 53 and beam 52. The spring-pin 23, having at its bottom. an enlarged head 56, extends upwardly through the bore '55 and thence through thebore 5'4 and thence upwardly through an apertured metal plate 56 secured as by screws. 51 to the tops ofthe block and the beam.

The spring-pin29 is provided with a cross-stud 58 for engaging the plate 56 to limit upward protrusion thereabove of the upper end of the spring-pin, such protrusion yieldingly maintained by an expansible coil spring 59; The spring-pin 29 carries a spacing collar between its head 56 and the bottom of the block 53; to aiford an easy tool or hand 'hold onsaid head for pulling down the spring-pin to disconnect the arm 28 for removal when desired. With the arm 28 in place, as shown in Fig. 8, the upper endof the springpin is rotatively receivedin 'a recess 6| extending up into said arm near-oneend thereof, after said end of the pin 29 passes through an apertured plate 62 suitably attached, by screws 63, to the I Referring to Figs. 1 and 6, the end-table unit 26 is shown as of similar construction to that of the unit 2|. Thus the parts of the unit 2| to which reference characters with primes are applied, correspond, respectively, to the parts of the unit 2| to which reference characters without primes are applied. As will be understood, and as shown in Fig. 6, the rest-block 53 of the unit 20 is opposite that line of extension of the device 23 which is shown in Fig. '1, just as the rest-block .53 is opposite that line of extension of the device 22 which is shown in Fig. l.

The arm 33 of the device 23, retained in the combination while the arm 28 of the device 22 is soretained, has. secured thereto a plate 62' corresponding to the plate 62 of Figs. 5 and 8, and also -a recess corresponding to the recess 6| of Fig. 8, for coaction with the spring-pin 29' in the manner'already noted in connection with the coaction between the plate :62 and the recess 8| with the spring-pin 29.

The table top 4'! of the unit 2! pivotally carries, at its underside near one'jen'd of its straight edge, a hook 64, for-coaction withaneye 65 on the underside of'thev top 41' of the unit 26; and

said top 41 pivotally carries, at its underside near one end of its straight: edge, a hook 66, for coaction with an eye Bl on the underside of the top 47 of the unit 2l; these hooks and eyes for coupling the'two units 26and 2|, straight edge of one against straight .edge. of'the other, asshown in Fig. 3.

Five table leaves are provided, all alike, and each like the three thereof and the two thereof shown in dot and dash lines at68 in Figs. 1 and 2. In the table as herein illustrated, each of these leaves is 12" wide.

In the device 22 the longer arms 24 and 26, and in the device 23 the longer arms 34 and 36, are of such lengths that when the parts are arranged as in Fig. 2 the spacing between the-facing and parallel straight edges of the tops of the units 20 and 2|, is as there shown equal to the sum of the widths of two leaves '68; while'the shorter arms 28 and 38, of the devices 22 and 23, respectively, are of such lengths that, when they are present as in Fig. 1, said spacing between the units 26 and 2| is as there shown equal to the sum of the'widths of all five of the leaves 68.

Operation: With the parts arranged as in Fig. l, for the seating of =14 persons, assume that it is desired to rear-range'the parts as in Fig. 2, for the seating of six persons.

As a first step, there arebodily 'removedthe arms 28' and'38.

Thus to remove thearm -28, it ismerely'necessary to free one end' of the-same from the arm-26 by lifting out the pintle of the hinge 21 andto freethe other end of the arm from the springpin 29 by pulling down on the-'head-56 of the latter. And to remove the arm 38, it ismerely necessary to free one end-of the'samefrom the arm 36 by lifting out the'pintle of the hinge 39,'and to free the other end of the-arm 38 from the spring-pin 29 by a similar pull-down of that 'pin.

Theshorter arms 28 and 38 having been removed, for storage say in'the same place wheresome or all of the leaves 68 are stored when not in use, the only remaining-operations arejinregard to the device 22, to disengage from its eye the hook beyond the hinge 2|-,=-doub1ebackthe arm 26 on the arm 24 at said hinge, and-pivotallymount on the spring-pin 2'9 the end of the arm 24"carrying the plate 3-2,-and, inregard-to-the device 23, to disengage fromits-eye the hook-opposite the hinge 31, double back the arm 36 on thearm 34, and pivotally mount on the spring-pin 29' the end of the arm 34 carrying the plate 42.

The parts then become arranged as in Fig. 2, and when the two leaves 68 are added as there indicated, the table is solidly established, for the proper seating of six persons.

Assuming however, it is desired to transform the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 to that shown in Fig. 3, for the proper seating of four persons, all that is necessary to be done is to remove the arms 28 and 38 as above explained, and then, after disengaging the hooks and eyes opposite the hinges 21 and 31, and doubling back the arms 26 and 36 on the arms 24 and 34 also as above explained, swing the arm-groups 24-26 and 3436 through 90 about the permanently installed pivot pins 25 and 35, respectively.

Thereby the parts are arranged as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 3.

Then, if a single table is desired as in Fig. 3, it is merely necessary to bring together the two units 20 and 2! as there shown and engage the hooks 64 and 66 with the eyes 65 and 61, respectively, as indicated in Fig. 3.

Also, to employ the two units 20 and 2| as individual end-tables, spaced and placed as desired one without regard to the placement of the other, the parts are used as in Fig. 3, but, of course, with the hooks and eyes last-mentioned disengaged.

To prevent endwise mis-alignment of such leaves 68 as are used, as in Fig. 1 or 2, interfitting projections and recesses may be carried by. said leaves, along their long sides, with corresponding provisions along the straight edges 'of the tops 41 and 41 of the units 20 and 2|, according to a wellknown practice in the art of extension-leaf dining tables.

Referring to Fig. 14, there is here illustrated an arrangement which may be used, in relation to the meeting portions of the arms 26 and 28, in

lieu'of the hinge 2! with its removable pintle as aforesaid. Said meeting portions in this view are marked 26 and 28. The portion 28' is shaped to have a transverse end wall subdivision 10, of relatively small height, and therebelow a down.- wardly forwardly inclined main end wall subdivision H, and the portion 26' is shaped to have an end wall subdivision 12 matchable against the end wall subdivision and therebelow a downwardly and rearwardly inclined end wall subdivision 13 matchable against the end wall subdivision Il. For holding this matched relation against lateral displacement, a pair of hooks 14 are pivotally carried by the portion 28', and a pair of coacting eyes are carried by the portion 26 one of which eyes is seen at 15. When such construction is employed, a like construction will be employed relative to the meeting end portions of the arms 36 and 38.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A table comprising a pair of adjacent endtable units each having a table top with adjacent straight edges, a cross beam for each of said endtable units supported at a position spaced beneath the bottom face of said table top, a pair of extension-devices extended parallel to each other between the said straight edges for supporting a plurality of table leaves between said straight edges in a plane common with said table tops, a plurality of table leaves resting on said extension devices between the adjacent straight edges of said table tops, each of said extension devices having an arm, an intermediate arm and a shorter arm arranged in end alignment, means pivotally connecting one end of each of the firstmentioned arms in position between said table top and said cross beam of one of said end-table units, means pivotally connecting one end of each of said intermediate arms to the other end of the respective first-mentioned arm, means releasably connecting one end of each of said shorter arms to the other end of the respective intermediate arm, each of said shorter arms having its other end engaged between the table top and said cross beam of the other of said end-table units, and means releasably retaining the other ends of said shorter arms in between the table tops and said cross beam of the respective end-table unit.

2. A table comprising a pair of adjacent endtable units each having a table top with adjacent straight edges, a cross beam for each of said endtable units supported at a position spaced beneath the bottom face of said table top, a pair of extension devices extended parallel to each other between the said straight edges for supporting a plurality of table leaves between said straight edges in a plane common with said table tops, a plurality of table leaves resting on said extension devices between the adjacent straight edges of said table tops, each of said extension devices having an arm, an intermediate arm and a shorter arm arranged in end alignment, means pivotally connecting one end of each of the firstmentioned arms in position between said table top and said cross beam of one of said end-table units, means pivotally connecting one end of each of said intermediate arms to the other end of the respective first-mentioned arm, means releasably connecting one end of each of said shorter arms to the other end of the respective intermediate arm, each of said shorter arms having its other end engaged between the table top and said cross beam of the other of said end-table units, and means releasably retaining the other ends of said shorter arms in between the table tops and said cross beam of the respective endtable unit, said releasable retaining means including a pin slidable on the respective cross beam and spring urged into operative position with each of the other ends of said shorter arms and each of said shorter arms being formed in its other end wtih a bore engaged by said pin.

3. A table comprising a pair of adjacent endtable units each having a table top with adjacent straight edges, a cross beam for each of said endtable units supported at a position spaced beneath the bottom face of said table top, a pair of extension devices extended parallel to each other between the said straight edges for supporting a plurality of table leaves between said straight edges in a plane common with said table tops, a plurality of table leaves resting on said extension devices between the adjacent straight edges of said table tops, each of said extension devices having an arm, an intermediate arm and a shorter arm arranged in end alignment, means pivotally connecting one end of each of the firstmentioned arms in position between said table top and said cross beam of one of said end-table units, means pivotally connecting one end of each armamof said intermediate arms to the; other end or the respective firstementioned; arm, means ne'- leasab'ly connecting one. end ofeach. of; said" shorter arms to the other end of therespective intermediate arm, each of said shorter arms having. its other end engaged between thetable. top

and said cross beam of the other ofsaid end table units, and. means releasably retaining the other ends of. said shorter arms in betweenthe" table tops. and said cross beam of the respective end-table. unit, said releasable retaining means including. a pin slidable on the respective cross beam and spring urged. into operative position with each of the other ends of said: shorter arms; and. each of said shorter arms being. formed in its other. end with a bore engaged by said pin, saidi pins having: an end accessible below the respective: cross: beam; to be used for withdrawing: saidpins. from they respective boresto free thev respective shorter arm.

4. A. table comprising a pairv of adajcent endtable units each having a table top with adjacent straight edges, a cross beam for each of said end-table units supported at a position spaced beneath the bottom face of said table top, a pair of extension devices. extended parallel to each other between the said straight, edgesfor: sup.

porting a plurality of table leaves between said straight edges in a plane. common with said table tops, a plurality of table leaves resting. on said.

intermediate. arm, each of said. shorter arms.-

having its other end engaged between-the tabletop and said cross beam-0f the other of said endtable units, and. means releasably retaining the other ends of said shorter arms inbetween-the table tops and. said cross beam of the respective end-table unit, said pivotal connecting means.- comprising a pivot pin mounted through-the said* onewend; of: the respective; first-mentioned arm and mounted on the respective. cross beam.

5. A table: comprising a; pair of adjacent endtable units: eachhaving; aitable topwith adjacent straight edgesiiai cross-beam for each of said endtable units: supported at a. position spaced beneath the bottom facexof said'table top, a pair ofi'extensioh: devices extended parallel to each other: between the: said straight edges for supporting: a plurality of table leaves between said straight edges ir1=;a-planecommon withv said table tops; a. plurality of: table leaves resting on said extension devices; between. the adjacent straight edges on said, table tops, each of said extensiondevices having. an arm, an intermediate arm and a shorter arm-arranged inend alignment, means pivotally conncti-ng one end. of each of the firstmentioned arms in position between said. table top anctsaid'"c-ros's beam of one ofsaid end-table units, means pivotally connecting onef end of each oit'said 'intermediate'arms: to'the other end of the respective first-mentioned: arm,; meansv releasably 1 connectingone; end of eachv of said shorter arms tethdother end of the respective intermediate. arm, each of. said shorter arms. having its other end? engaged between the. table top and, said cross: beam ofithe other of said end-table units, and means releasably retaining the other ends of sai'd'shorte'r' arms in between the table. topsand said? cross. beam or -the. respective end-table.

unit, on'erof said'first-mentioned arms. having its saidione end. attached to oneof said endtable units: atone side'thereof and the other. of said first-mentioned arms having its said one end at;-

tachedto: the. other of said end-table. units. at the side opposite. the. side. of said one end-table unit. tQWhiChthefSflid' one firstementioned arm has its said one end attached.

WILLIAM'M. COSTANZO. I

REFERENCES CITED The following references'are of record in the fife of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS- 

